Knights travel to SMU to take on Mustangs

It's on to Dallas they go.

The Knights (3-2, 1-0) are heading west this week to take on the SMU Mustangs (4-1, 2-0) at Gerald J. Ford Stadium, and they are hoping that the third time is the charm after dropping their first two road contests.

While UCF is coming off of a win that ended a two-game losing skid, the Mustangs are rolling, having won four consecutive games after losing their season opener against No. 21 Texas A&M.

That hot streak has SMU receiving votes in both of the polls, and the Knights will have their work cut out for them in Dallas as they prepare to take on the nation's 12th-best passing attack and one of Conference USA's better defenses.

"I think they're playing very well," Knights head coach George O'Leary said. "The games I've seen they're playing very well on defense … We're going have it tested on Saturday as far as our defense."

The rematch of last year's C-USA Championship should shed some light on where the Knights stand amongst the league's upper echelon.

SMU: Last time out

The Mustangs will be well-rested when they take their home field Saturday afternoon.

SMU is fresh off a bye week and also fresh off one of the program's biggest wins in years after beating then No. 20 TCU (4-2) on the road, in overtime, 40-33.

The Mustangs led the Frogs pretty comfortably, going into the fourth quarter up 27-10. But TCU mounted a late rally and tied the game with 1:16 left.

In overtime, SMU's J.J. McDermott completed a 19-yard touchdown pass to Jeremy Johnson for McDermott's fourth touchdown pass of the day.

The Mustangs' defense held up on TCU's ensuing drive and when the Frogs fourth-down pass fell incomplete, SMU had its biggest win under head coach June Jones.

UCF: Last time out

The Knights battled Marshall (2-4, 1-1) and the weather last Saturday, as eight inches of rain helped create a soggy, and at times sloppy, game that UCF was able to win, 16-6.

The Knights were able to ride a 180-yard night from Brynn Harvey and a defensive effort that didn't allow a scoring possession as the Herd's lone touchdown coming off of a fumble return.

While UCF did win, its offense largely bogged down after a 14-point first quarter and the Knights had two regrettable red-zone turnovers.

"You don't like to blame the weather, and I won't, but those things can happen," O'Leary said.

When SMU has the football

The Knights are prepared to face the most potent passing attack they've encountered yet.

SMU is 12th in the nation in passing yards per game (326.8), and McDermott has already thrown for 1,482 yards and eight touchdowns.

The Mustangs will have the ability to spread the field and strike quickly, and the Knights will have to keep the SMU receivers in front of them, as McDermott has been very accurate so far this season.

The Mustangs also have a very experienced offensive line, meaning it will not be easy for UCF to get into the backfield, but the Knights will need to find a way if they want to create some opportunities for turnovers.

To counter SMU's offensive efficiency, UCF brings to the table the second-best defense in the nation in terms of points allowed.

The Knights have not allowed a touchdown in three of the five games they've played and are hoping to continue their dominance on that side of the ball against the Mustangs.

When UCF has the football

Harvey was named the starter last week following the Marshall game after a performance that brought back memories of the running back's 2009 season.

The return of the Knights' running game, an element that had been sorely lacking in UCF's two losses, proved pivotal last week and should do so again this week.

SMU is one of the league's better defenses, and the Knights will have their work cut out for them.

"Defensively, they've got good size up front and linebackers that are making plays," O'Leary said. "I think the strength of their football team is their defense."

UCF's offense had a hard time consistently moving the ball last week, playing in what O'Leary called "spurts," and it will be important for the Knights to move the ball this week, controlling the clock and keep the potent SMU offense off of the field.

The buzz

Members of the Knights defensive unit have hinted that they would like to see the offense and special teams units carry their weight a little more, and there couldn't be a better week for that to be the case.

"We can't control if we fumble, we can't control if we drop passes; I have no control over that [as a defensive player]," senior defensive lineman Victor Gray said. "You grow tired of seeing the same things every week … That's being a good teammate, getting onto others and trying to encourage them to do better."

UCF's position as being statistically one of the nation's best defenses will be put to the test as the Knights will encounter a diverse offensive attack that will spread the field and keep them honest.

There will be no lack of wanting from an SMU team seeking revenge after last season's conference title loss.

Whether UCF can slow, or even contain, the Mustang offensive attack remains to be seen, but what is clear is if the Knights are going to be successful in Dallas, they will need a more consistent offensive attack that puts up some points.